First, let’s clear the air: despite the name, “Hair Botox” has nothing to do with Botox, the injectable toxin. It’s purely a marketing term — and what it actually involves can vary a lot from salon to salon. Some places offer a rich protein-based mask, others use stronger smoothing agents like glyoxylic acid (which comes with heat and fumes), and many combine several ingredients to give that glossy, silky finish. So the first issue is that these treatments can be more or less strong, and the strength of a protein treatment matters A LOT. Many hair profiles need protei,n but only a little bit, so a treatment like that could already be too much. Hair Botox is a full-blown “ritual” often an all-in-one package — smoothing, filming, coating, sealing — and that’s where caution is needed. This is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Hair Botox isn’t automatically “bad.” In fact, it can really help maintain structure on some heavily damaged hair. But it depends on your specific need, AND what the ‘botox’ treatment you consider is made of. An important thing to mention: The reason it looks amazing in the salon is that it's designed to. The silicones, polyquats, and heat styling ensure that smooth finish — but just because it looks good right after the treatment doesn’t mean there’s no damage happening underneath. That’s why we always encourage our students to look beyond the marketing and ask the real questions: -What’s in the formula? -Does my hair actually need this? -Is this treating the root cause of my hair struggles or just masking the symptoms? If you’re ever unsure, we usually recommend starting with targeted, ingredient-based treatments you can control (like those we teach in the Lab). These help you observe your hair’s reactions and customize care without exposing it to harsh heat or long-term buildup.